Are deer antlers good for dogs?
Are Deer Antlers safe for my dog?
Well unfortunately it is not a simple yes or no, so let's talk about it.
Deer antlers are a great chew that will keep your dog entertained for hours. When deciding whether to give your dog a deer antler here are a few points to consider -
Powerful chewer - If your dog is a powerful chewer then it probably is best to avoid deer antlers. When a dog gnaws down onto the antler and they are powerful jaws they can crack their teeth. Therefore this could lead to damage and complications with their teeth
Puppy - If you have a puppy, antlers are great at relieving their pain from teething but we always recommend that they have the split deer antler as this makes the antler less dense, reducing the risk of damaging their baby teeth.
Excited dogs - We all know a dog who gets a bit giddy when they have a new treat and sometimes they like to fling the Deer antler around the room. Sometimes this can cause damage to their teeth when they go to catch it or to your house.
Greedy dogs - Again we all know a dog that likes to eat their treat super fast or try to swallow it whole. We always recommended close supervision when your dog does this as deer antlers can be a choking hazard.
Correct size - It is a good idea to get the correct size antler for your dog to make sure they aren’t a choking hazard. Here is our guideline -
Small Min 50g - For small breeds
Medium Min 75g - For medium breeds
Large Min 150g - For large breeds
Extra Large Min 220g - For extra large breeds
However if you think a deer antler is good for your dog, then they have some great health benefits such as -
Great for removing plaque and tartar off their teeth - As your dog gnaws down on their antler is helps to remove the plaque and tartar meaning it is a great natural toothbrush
Mental stimulation - They are great at providing your dog with good mental stimulation to tire them out, which is great because it means no late night zoomies
Puppy teething - Gnawing down on a split antler helps to relieve the pain your puppy feels while they are teething.
Low in fat - Deer antlers are very low in fat making them a great chew for dogs that need a lower fat diet.
Single source protein - They are great for dogs with allergies or sensitivities as there are no added fillers or chemicals and they are a single meat.
Long lasting - Deer antlers are a very tough chew that will keep your dog occupied for a long time.
2 of our dogs, Daisy & Luna love Deer antlers however they are both completely different. Luna is a soft chewer and is fine with a full antler as she takes her time but Daisy has to have a split antler as she likes to strip the antler. Sometimes she will get excited and start to throw the antler around. This is when we put her into her bed to stop her from damaging her teeth or the house.
As we always say you know your dog best and what is fine for one dog isn't for the other, so always do what you think is best.
Love Olivia x